The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1887-07-08
DAKOTA NEWS.
Dakota "Afoot and Alone'' at
Chamberlain.
The Glorious Fourth at Arma.
dale Grove.
Drowned While Bathing, Near
WOOnsOcket.
ASHTON.

ASHTON, July 5.-This has been the
most enjoyable Fourth ever spent in
Dakota. The old custom of town Gel
ebrations are tiresome, not to say mo-
notonous; especially so, when consist
ing of pompous parades in the heat of
midsummer sun. Picnics are always
pleasant, ever new; there is always
something ludicrous, something laugh
able; the ladies enjoy picnicking; it
gives them an opportunity to cultivate
their voices in the higher keys. The
husbands enjoy it; they escape cur
tain lectures for the time being; there
is more freedom of action in the free
open air.
Seven couples from Ashton, equip
ped with tents, cooking utensils and a
good supply of provisions betook them
selves to Churchill's grove at Armadale,
this county, on the evening before the
Fourth, pitched their tent and awaited
the coming dawn of Independence day.
Camp life with picnic party is far
different from that of the soldier. 1t
is not governed by the same strict reg
Alations. With the former there seems
to be time for everything else, except
sleep. You will begin to think that
you are merging into forgetfulness.
when there will be a feminine "tee-hee"
in one corner of the tent followed by
masculine growl of "hush up" from the
other and then the music resounds
from all parts of the compartment.
Sleep is out of the question, but then
the novelty of the occasion seems to
be as invigorating as the soothing min
istrations Of old Morpheus.
Our tent was pitched in the center
of a circle of the ruins of the habita-
tions of old Drifting Goose and his
tribe, for Armadale grove was the last
Indian city of Sphinx county, and it is
no wonder that old Drifting Goose
broke down in tears when he was
driven from this delightful spot.
There is not another such grove and
and surrounding in Dakota east of the
Missouri river, between Yankton and
Devils lake. Armadale grove COM
prises a very beautiful island of
140 acres completely encircled by the
James river and is covered by large
elm and ash trees. with the exception
Of fifteen acres Of clearing in the geo.
graphical center, cleared by the In
dians and used by them for garden
and corntield. One of the owners of
the tract, Mr. James B. Churchill, of
Armadale, has taken pains to cut off
the lower branches Of the trees, and
has graded race course and base ball
diamond in the clearing. Taken all
together this is the finest place for pic
MICS, camp meetings and camping par
ties in eastern Dakota. The celebration
here today was attended by more
than 800 people, and most of them
came prepared for day of pleasure
and rest. The Declaration OF Inde-
pendence was read by Hon. Isaac
Howe, probate judge of this county
and Rev. Father Haire, OF Chamber
lain, delivered the grafton. In the al
ternoon the amusements consisted of
bowery dance and 4 game of base ball.
Our people were as much interested in
the amusements furnished us they
were in the quiet picnic pleasures af-
forded by this beautiful grove, which
is destined to become !. noted resort
for pleasure parties from all parts OF